Thread-guide device



Oct. 11, 1966 E. HARTLEY THREAD-GUIDE DEVICE Filed Dec. 11, 1965 w a my United States Patent 3,278,137 THREAD-GUIDE DEVICE Irby Ennis Hartley, Chattanooga, Tenn., assignor to E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Delaware Filed Dec. 11, 1963, SE1. No. 329,683 1 Claim. (Cl. 242-157) This invention relates generally to the production of threads, yarns, filaments, and the like, and more particularly to an improved thread-guiding apparatus.

During their manufacture and treatment, threads and the like are advanced in helical turns on thread-storage and thread-advancing devices; and to facilitate such advances, threads are guided on pegs, commonly known as pins. But, in a very short time, the surface of such pins become irregularly worn and grooved so that the threads are impaired due to the consequentially roughened pin surface, and due to the heat from the increased friction. This damage to the threads occurs before the wearing of the pin surface is visible. To prevent damage to the thread, it is necessary to expose the thread to fresh guide surface before the wear becomes visible. This requires control of the movement of the guide pin, which control is lacking in conventional thread-guide pins.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved thread guide apparatus, the use of which prevents damage to threads carried thereby.

Another object is to provide an improved apparatus for guiding threads which will ensure maximum utilization of the guiding surface.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description of several embodiments of the invention, and the novel features will be particularly pointed out hereinafter in connection with the appended claim.

In the accompanying drawing: FIG. 1 is a front elevation of one embodiment of a thread-guide apparatus in accordance with this invention; FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 22 of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 33 of FIG. 4 of another embodiment of this invention; FIG. 4 is an irregular sectional view taken along line 44 of FIG. 3.

In the embodiment of this invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the thread-guide apparatus includes a guide pin 1 rotatably and slidably mounted in support 6 through passage 8, and having circumferential grooves 2 and slot 3. A leaf spring 4, attached by screw to support 6, releaseably engages the guide pin 1 at one of the grooves 2. In operation, leaf spring 4 secures guide pin 1 in a lateral and longitudinal position with respect to thread 7. A new lateral position with respect to thread 7 is attained by turning the guide pin at slot 3. A new longitudinal position with respect to thread 7 is attained by pushing or pulling guide pin 1 through passage 8. The leaf spring 4, being flexible, snaps into the adjacent groove. It should be noted thatalthough grooves are illustrated in this embodiment of the invention, other means providing a resisting body to the leaf spring, or the like, would also be suitable.

Another embodiment of this invention illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 includes guide pins 20 and 20' rotatably and slidably mounted in support 13 through passages 40 and 40', respectively. Guide pins 20 and 20' are provided with circumferential grooves 9 and 9, respectively. A lock pin 11 mounted in support 13 through passage 50 is forced to bear on guide pins 20 and 20' by a set screw 12 located in passage 60. In the operation of this embodiment of the invention, the lock pin 11 secures guide pins 20 and 20' in a lateral and longitudinal position with respect to thread 30 and 30', the latter not being shown. To change the position of the guide 3,278,137 Patented Oct. 11, 1966 pins set screw 12 must be loosened. A new lateral position with respect to thread 30, e.g., is then attained by turning the guide pin at slot 10. A new longitudinal position with respect to threads 30 and 30 is attained by pushing or pulling guide pins 20 and 20' through passages 40 and 40', respectively. Slot 10, used for turning guide pin 20, may alternatively be on the pin end guiding the thread 30. Although multiple grooves are illustrated in this embodiment, one groove would provide utility. It is to be understood that the apparatus of this invention can be made from conventional materials.

From the above description of the several embodiments of this invention, it can be seen that the movements of the guide pin can be accurately controlled so as to provide fresh guide surfaces for threads carried thereby. This control also assures maximum utilization of the guide surface so that replacement of guide pins is minimized. In actual use, this novel thread-guide apparatus has guided synthetic textile fibers spun from polyamide melts, and such fibers have greater denier uniformity and have superior physical and mechanical properties when compared to fibers guided on conventional apparatuses. Similar advantages are attained in the guiding of threads, yarns, and filaments of other compositions.

It will be understood that various changes in the details, steps, and arrangement of parts, which have herein been described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of the invention, may be made by those skilled in the art within the principle and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

An apparatus for guiding thread comprising, in combination,

(1) a support having a passage running therethrough,

(2) a cylindrical-shaped guide element mounted in said passage having a first and second portion (a) said first portion projecting from said support providing a guiding surface for thread. (b) said second portion having a plurality of grooved portions arranged along the length thereof,

(3) a bar member releasably engaging said second portion within one of said grooved portions in a direction transverse to the axis of said cylindricalshaped guide element, to permit rotatory and sliding adjustment of said cylindrical-shaped guide element, and

(4) said cylindrical-shaped guide element having a slot at one end thereof by which said cylindricalshaped guide element can be rotated,

whereby said thread is exposed to fresh surfaces along the length and circumference of said guide element.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 913,024 2/ 1909 Meacham. 1,597,837 8/ 1926 Staley. 1,782,463 11/ 1930 Colantuono et al. 1,809,553 6/1931 Graul. 1,899,415 2/ 1933 Guckles. 2,560,518 7/ 1951 Amesbury 151-26 2,713,386 7/1955 Holtz. 2,774,550 12/ 1956 Pieper 242-154 2,967,027 1/ 1961 McFadden 242-15 7 FOREIGN PATENTS 752,957 7/ 1956 Great Britain.

STANLEY N. GILREATH, Primary Examiner. MERVIN STEIN, Examiner. 

